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About Pressure Injuries

A pressure injury is a type of injury to your skin and the tissue underneath it. It’s caused by too much pressure on a bony area of the body, such as your tailbone, buttocks, elbows, or heels. It can also be caused by wearing a medical or other device that rubs against your skin.

Pressure injuries can be painful. They can appear as a red patch of skin or as an open wound or ulcer. Bed sores are a type of pressure injury.

Preventing Pressure Injuries

Move around

When you’re sitting or lying down, make sure to move around and change your position often. Even small changes help.

If you’re changing positions in a bed or chair, lift your buttocks; do not drag your body.

If you’re staying in bed, change your position at least once every 2 hours. Ask your family, doctors, or nurses to help you change your position, if needed.

Raise the head of the bed as little as possible, unless your medical condition makes it unsafe to lie flat. This will put less pressure on your buttocks.

Put pillows or foam wedges between your knees and ankles to keep them from touching. Also, place a small pillow under your lower legs to keep your heels off the bed.

If you’re in a wheelchair or must sit in a chair for long periods of time, change your position at least once every hour. Don’t sit on doughnut-shape pillows. Sit on a regular, rectangular-shaped pillow instead. If you need suggestions about a type of pillow, speak with your doctor or nurse.

Take care of your skin

Shower and bathe as necessary to reduce moisture from urine, stool (feces), or sweat..

To prevent dry skin, apply creams lightly and gently to your skin.

If you lose control of your bowels or bladder, tell your doctor or nurse right away

Don’t rub or massage the skin over any bony parts of your body. This can hurt your skin and the tissues underneath it. Check your skin at least once a day. If you have any medical equipment, remove it and check the skin underneath it once a day. Ask your family, doctors, or nurses to help you check your skin, if needed. Tell your doctor or nurse if you feel any pain or see areas that are:

Red

Cut or open

Blistered

Eat a well-balanced diet and drink plenty of liquids. If you’re on a restricted diet, speak with a dietitian for suggestions. You need to eat well for your skin to stay healthy.

Tell your doctor or nurse if you’re concerned about the health of your skin. They will work with you and give you more suggestions to help prevent pressure injury.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact a member of your healthcare team directly or call 212-639-2000 for help.

If you have any questions or concerns, talk with a member of your healthcare team. You can reach them Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at ____________________. After 5:00 pm, during the weekend, and on holidays, please call____________________. If there’s no number listed, or you’re not sure, call 212-639-2000.

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